What is normal?

Bleeding, bruising, discoloration and/or swelling is not uncommon. Any break in the skin, including a new piercing can bleed or bruise. These are not indications of any complications. Reduce intake of aspirin, alcohol, and caffeine. For above the neck piercings, try sleeping with your head elevated above your heart (Prop up on some pillows.) to limit overnight swelling. Studies show non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products such as Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, etc. can help minimize swelling.

Some tenderness or discomfort in the area of a new piercing is not unusual. You may feel stingy, burning, aching, or other unpleasant sensations off and on for several days or longer. During healing, there may be some itching.

Secretion of a fluid which contains blood plasma, lymph and dead cells is perfectly normal. It is fairly liquid, whitish-yellow in color and forms a crust on the jewelry at the openings of the piercing. This is not puss, but indicates a healing piercing.

Once healed, your piercing may secrete a semi-solid white malodorous substance from the oil glands called sebum. This is not puss, but indicates a healed piercing.

Piercings may have a tendency to have a series of “ups and downs” during healing by seeming healed then regressing. Try to be patient, and do keep cleaning during the entire initial healing time, even if the piercing seems healed sooner.

Tightness is normal. Do not expect jewelry to swing freely in most body piercings, even after they are thoroughly healed.